Process and apparatus for carbonization



Jan. 8, 1952 G. B. CRAMP PROCESS AND APPARATUS VFOR CARBONIZATION 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sepb. 5, 1947 Ime/Mov Jan- 8, 1952 G. B. CRAMP 2,581,517

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Jan. 8, 1952 G. B. RAMP 2,581,517

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CARBONIZATION Filed Sept. 5. 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 8, 1952 G. E. CRAMP 2,581,517

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CARBONIZATION Filed Sept. 5, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Jan. 8, 1952 PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CARBONIZATION George Berkley Cramp, Denver, Colo.

Application September 5, 1947, Serial No. 772,386

4 Claims.

1 This invention relates to a process for producing fuel from carbonaceous material and an apparatus therefor.

Coke is generally produced by either the beehive oven or by-product oven methods. In the beehive oven method the carbonaceous material or bituminous coal contained in the ovens is subjected to external heat of a temperature sufflcient to liberate its volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases, with the attendant admission of air to the ovens in an amount to support combustion. The resultant combustion, however, is incomplete, with volumes of heavy sooty gases being emitted from the top of the ovens and from which little or no by-products are recoverable. The residue or coke is known las beehive coke and is used primarily for blast furnace and foundry cupola fuel.

In the by-product oven method, the carbonaceous material to be coked is charged into each of the plurality of retorts arranged in side by side spaced relation, and the respective retorts subjected to heat in the -absence of air. The heat is applied externally to and intermediate the walls of the respective retorts and is of a temperature such as to cause the liberation of the volatile concomitants in the form of vapors land gases. In other Words, each retort is completely surrounded externally by a heating zone. With the application of the heat from the heating zone to the exterior surface of the wall of each retort the carbonaceous material resting against and in close proximity to the interior surface of such wall shrinks away, leaving a space between the interior wall surface of the retort and the carbonaceous material contained in the latter through which the liberated vapors and gases pass upwardly and out of the retort. The vapors and gases upon passage upwardly through such space, due to exposure to the heat radiated inwardly from the surrounding external heating zone, are cracked, thereby being converted into various hydrocarbons or by-prode ucts and depositing carbon within the retort and throughout the system. To remove this deposited carbon lthe retorts and system must be constantly iiushed to prevent clogging. The product resulting is termed by-product coke, and its use is. as with beehive coke, primarily for blast furnace and foundry cupola fuel. although the smaller screenings are employed as domestic furnace fuel. However, this coke is low in combustible volatile matter and is for this reason diilcult to ignite and to keep afire under low draft cdnditions.

Although the beehive and by-product coke oven methods have been long established and their technologies well understood, the art of producing smokeless fuel from coals and other carbonaceous materials with the recovery of the volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases in an uncracked or non-decomposed state remains unsolved.

By the present invention it is possible to produce smokeless fuel with the recovery of the volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases in a non-cracked state by the avoidance of several basic errors heretofore employed in attempts at solution, namely:

l. Instead of placing coals and related materials within a closed receptacle and applying the heat from the outside inwardly, the heating zone is placed inside a body of the carbonaceous material to be converted into fuel.

2. In place of moving a mass of carbonaceous materials through successively hotter zones with or without agitation, the mass is subjected to stage by stage increase of temperature of heat.

3. In place of subjecting the mass of carbonaceous materials to temperatures far in excess of the melting or fusion point of the steel. structure of which the retorts are made, a heating gas of a predetermined temperature far below the fusion temperature of the steel structure of the retort is employed.

It has been found that by locating the zone of radiated heat wholly within or surrounded by a body or mass of carbonaceous material to be converted into a fuel, maintaining such zone at a temperature sufficient to liberate the volatile concomitants in the form of water and oil vapors and gases in the surrounding body of carbonaceous material but insufiicient to decompose such vapors and gases, causing the radiated heat to travel transversely outwardly through the body of material and drive the evolved vapors and gases successively through cooler zones,

and effecting the withdrawal of such vapors and gases as a gas admixed with condensed vapors or condensates at the bottom of the body, a coke is obtained which contains combustible gaseous or volatile matter in an appreciable amount such as to make it readily and easily ignitable, controllable under all draft conditions, and suitable.`

for use as a fuel in domestic and industrial furnaces or in boiler and locomotive boiler furnaces. Such fuel resulting from a true distillation may, to distinguish it from the prior art methods, be termed still coke or stilcok.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a fuel from carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants in which a body or charge of said material is subjected to radiated heat of a temperature sunicient to liberate the volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases but insufiicient to decompose the liberated vapors and gases under conditions such as to recover the latter vapors and gases in the form of a gas admixed condensed vapors or condensates and to obtain an end product or coke which contains combustible gaseous or volatile matter in an appreciable amount to make it admirably adapted for use as a domestic or industrial fuel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a fuel from any carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants wherein a zone of radiated heat is wholly within or surrounded by a body or charge of said material, and the heat is caused to be radiated outwardly through said body and drive the evolved vapors and gases successively through cooler zones of the latter body.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing a fuel from any carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants wherein radiated heat from a zone containing it is caused to pass outwardly and in a substantially transverse direction through an immobile column of said material surrounding said zone to liberate its concomitants in the form of condensed vapors and gases.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing fuel from any carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants wherein an immobile column of said material supported exteriorly by a heat retaining curtain and interiorly by a. zone of radiated heat is subjected to such radiated heat under conditions such as to liberate the volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases and to recover the thus liberated vapors and gases in the form of a gas admixed with such vapors condensed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing fuel from carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants which enables the treatment of such material in an expeditious and commercially feasible manner.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing fuel from carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants which is capable of performing all of the operations incident to the conversion of said material into a fuel which is adapted for general use.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for producing fuel from carbonaceous material wherein a heat retaining curtain and a radiator are so mounted in a closed retort as to form a space between the curtain and the radiator for the reception therein of a body of material to be treated and wherein a heated gas of a temperature suicient to liberate the volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases but insuicient to decompose the liberated vapors and gases is flowed through said radiator.

A still lfurther object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for vproducing fuel from carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants which includes a plurality of closed retorts each having a radiator and a heat retaining curtain mounted therein as to form a space between the radiator and the curtain for the reception therein of a body of material to be treated and means for cycling a heated gas alternately 'and in opposite directions through the 5 radiators of said retorts.

Briey stated, the process according to the present invention comprises forming a heat radiating zone in a coniined. space, introducing into said zone a heated gas of a temperature sufcient to liberate the volatile concomitants contained in the carbonaceous material in the form of vapors and gases `but insuiiicient to decompose the latter, surrounding said zone with a mass of said material. and causing the heat from said zone to be radiated outwardly through said mass to liberate its volatile concomitants in the form of condensed vapors and gases.

The carbonaceous material that may -be treated according to the process of the present invention and converted into a fuel is any such material of mineral, vegetable, or animal origin 'which upon distillation yields hydrocarbon oils, gases, and Water and leaves a carbon residue.

The materials may be listed as follows: high and low volatile coking bituminous coals, high and low volatile non-coking bituminous coals, lignites, peat, oil shales, oil sands, woods, wood wastes and city wastes. garbage, rubbish, and sewage, anthracite coal dusts, nes and river coals, coke dusts, and other carbon dusts, usually low cost materials, admixed with bituminous coking coals.

The heating gas is preferably the -heated gas of combustion and is generated in a gaseous fuelair fired heater so constructed with flue nre brick sections as to result in the formation of a current of such gas of a temperature of about 13il0 Fahrenheit. This gas of the aforementioned temperature is caused to now through the zone for radiating heat from one end to the other. The gas in its ow through the heat radiator zone gives oif its heat and this heat in turn is radiated outwardly through the surrounding body of carbonaceous material, thus reducing its temperature to about 1400 Fahrenheit, or less, in passing through the first retort.

By maintaining a suction directed from the bottom of the confined space the radiated heat is caused to travel outwardly and a transverse drection through the body of material to thereby liberate its volatile concomitants in the form of condensed vapors and gases. The condensed vapors and gases are withdrawn at the bottom of the confined space.

An embodiment of an apparatus for use in carrying out the process according to the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an oo apparatus for carrying out the process of the present invention, the part in full lines indicating a unit of five retorts in association with a pair of heaters, and the part in dotted lines, a further unit of five retorts in association with a o5 pair of heaters that may be added thereto.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse elevational sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 4.

Figures 3A and 3B viewed together represent an enlarged transverse elevational sectional view,

with parts broken away, taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1 of one of the retorts and its end nues.

Figure 4 is an enlarged transverse elevational view, with parts broken away, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 of one of the retorts.

Figure 5 is la diagrammatic View illustrating the arrangement of the end nues in relation to the retort A-I and the opened and closed positions of the butteriiy valves in making the P-I pass.

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the end ilues in relation to the retort A-Z, and the opened and closed positions of the butterfly valves in making the P-2 pass.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the end nues in relation to the retort A-3 and the opened and closed positions of the butterfly valves in making the P-I pass.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the end ues in relation to the retort A-I and the opened and closed positions of the butterfly valves in making the P-4 pass.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement of the end ues in relation to the retort A- and the opened ancl closed positions oi' the butterfly valves in making the P-5 pass.

.Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view indicating the origin of each pass from and to each iiue and respective temperatures of each flue.

Figure 11 is an isometric view of the time control mechanism for actuating the butterfly valves in the end nues.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the part indicated in full lines represents a unit of ve retorts or stills arranged in side by side spaced relation and designated as A#I, A#2, A#3, A#4, and A#5, respectively. One end of each of the retorts or stills is in communication with a main flue designated B and the other end of each of such retorts or stills is in communication with a main flue designated C. Each of the main flues B and C comprise three nues arranged in superimposed relation with respect to each other, the iiues being of varying cross sectional area, the lowermost ue being of the largest cross sectional area, the uppermost iiue being of the smallest cross sectional area, and the intermediate flue being of a larger cross sectional area than the uppermost iiue but of a smaller cross sectional area than the lowermost flue. Arranged contiguous to the ue B are two heaters D-#L and D-#Z for the generation of the heated medium for use in carrying out the process of the present invention, one of said heaters being placed in communication with the flue E-#I through the medium of a swingably mounted iiue E. As shown, the flue E is in communication with heater D-#I, thus enabling the heated medium con-` tained in heater D-#I to be conveyed through ilue E-#I into flue B, through and out of the retort A#'I into flue C, and from flue C into, through, and out of the retort A#2 into tlue B, and so on back and forth through the other retorts A-#3, A#4, and A#5 and complemental portions of the fiues B and C, with heated medium discharged from the retort A#5 being conveyed from the flue C into return flue H by means of l fan G, and iinally into heater D#I through the open valve'DIl. While the heater D#I is in communication'with the flue E, the valve D-9 for placing said heater in communication with the flue F#I of the stack F is in closed position. Extending between the nues Bl and C and in communication with the latter fiues is a cross flue BC, said flue BC ,being provided with a butteriiy valve BC-I. The butterfly valve BC-I is operated by a temperature regulator, not shown, which serves to admit hotter gases from the lowerxnost or. the nues in the main ilue B to the cooler lowermost of the nues in the main flue C in order to maintain a predetermined temperature in the latter rlue. During any time the heater D#I is in communication for circulating its heated gas of combustion through the respective retorts, the .heater D-#Z is being ilred from the top with the valve D-II' controlling the admission o! the gas of combustion which has been circulated through the retorts being closed. and the valve D-9' permitting the discharge of the products of combustion through the stack F being opened.

The part indicated in dotted lines of Figure l represents a further unit ot five retorts or stills arranged in side by side spaced relation and designated as AF# I ,AF#2,AF#3,AF#I, and AF#5, respectively. One end of each of the retorts or stills AF#I to AF#5 inclusive is in communication with a ue designated BF and the opposite end of each said retort is in communication with a ue designated CF. For the addition of this further unit, a heater DF#3 is required. Extending from the flue BF and terminating adjacent the heater DF#3 is a flue HF, the said flue HF being provided with a valve DF-I'I for placing the heater DF#3 into or out of communication with the latter ilue. Also, the flue F-#l is provided with a valve DF-9 for permitting the discharge of the products of combustion into the stack F during the tiring of the heater DF#3. For an additional unit of ve retorts of which only one of such retorts designated AF#iIl, and only a portion of the fiues CF' and BF in communication with said retort are shown, a heater DFaIM would be included as a part of the system, with the flue HF being provided with a valve DFI'I for placing said heater in communication therewith, and with the flue Fatti being provided with a valve DFS for permitting the discharge of the products of combustion into the stack F during the ring of the heater DF#4.

As the specic structure of each of the retorts A#I to A#5 inclusive and the heat transfer nues at each end thereof for connecting same to the longitudinal flues B and C is the same, such specific structure of only one will be described in detail.

Referring to Figures 3A and 3B, and Figures 2 and 4, the numeral I0 designates the retort or still, the retort comprising an inner metal casing I I and an outer casing I2 enclosing the casing I I and spaced from the latter so as to provide a space therebetween for the reception of a low temperature insulating material I3 therein. The upper end of the retort I0 is provided with a narrow elongated opening I4 through which a batch or charge of carbonaceous material to be treated or converted into coke is introduced therein. Projecting exteriorly from the opposite lsides of the opening I4 along the top thereof is a trough I5. The opening I4 is closed by a 'removable cover I6, said cover including a at plate I1 provided with a plurality of cavities or pockets I 8 spaced from each other and extending therealong, and a cup-shaped member I9 depending from the under surface of said plate and secured thereto, so as to provide a space which is iilled with a low temperature insulation material 20. Mounted within each of the pockets I8 is a lift bar 2l which is adapted to be engaged by a lift hook actuated by a charge car. Disposed in opposite sides of the cup-shaped member I8 and depend` ing from the under side of such member is a skirt` plate 2Ia which is received within the complemental trough |55 When the cover f8 is in place over the opening I4 and the retort is in operation the troughs l5 are kept lled with running Water, thereby forming a complete seal between the cover and the opening.

The Alower end of the retort l0 is likewise provided with a narrow elongated opening 22 through which the coke resulting from treatment of the batch or charge of carbonaceous material therein is withdrawn. The opening 22 is closed by a removable cover 23, the cover comprising a at plate 24 having an intermediate portion shaped so as to provide a tray 25 projecting from its under suriace thereof, the tray forming a support for the batch or charge of carbonaceous material introduced into the retort through the opening i4. Mounted within the tray 25 is a reinforcing structure so fabricated as to provide a plurality of spaces adjacent the bottom thereof for the reception therein of a high temperature insulating material 28, as for example lampblack. The tray 25 is provided with a plurality of pockets 2l spaced from each other and extending therealong into which are projected lift posts operated from a discharge car. Projecting exteriorly from the opposite ends of the cover 23 is a trough 2B. Depending from the opposite sides of the opening 22 is a skirt plate 29 which is received in the complemental trough 28. When the cover 23 is in place under the opening 22 and the retort is in operation the troughs 28 are kept filled with running water, thusI forming a complete seal between the cover and opening.

Extending longitudinally along the bottom of the retort l! are pipes 3B and 3l, Figure 2, for receiving the liberated gases and condensates contained in the retort and flowing through the discharge outlet pipes 34 and 35 respectively. Projecting upwardly from the bottom of each of the pipes 34 and 35 are bent plates 36 and 3l, the plates being so mounted as to form gutters for directing the flow of the condensates from the interior of the retort into the outlet pipes 34 and 35 and thence into the pipes 38 and 3 l. The pipes 3B and 3l are in communication with mains 32 and 33 extending transversely along the bottom of the retort ID, Figures 3A and 4. The liberated gas and condensates received in the pipes 30 and 3l are discharged into the mains 32 and 33 and are conveyed through the latter to a decanting apparatus, not shown.

Carried by the bottom of the retort adjacent the opposite sides of the opening 22 are hangers 38 and 39 which are provided respectively with latch bars 4D and 4i, the latch bars 40 and 4l supporting the bottom cover 23 when in closed position. The latch bar 4U is connected to a pivotally mounted hand lever 42 and the bar 4l is likewise connected to apivotally mounted hand lever 43. Movement of the hand levers 42 and 43 in the proper direction causes the latch bars 4U and 4l to be shifted to a position for supporting the cover 23 while movement of said levers in the opposite direction causes the latch bars 40 and 4l to be shifted out of supporting position. After the bottom discharge car has lifted the cover 23 free of the latch bars 40 and 4l, the hand levers 42 and 43 may be moved so as to shift same out of supporting position.

' Suspendingly supported from hanger rods 44 depending from reinforcing ribs ,45 on the inner casing Il of the retort I0 is a narrow, elongated radiator 4B, such radiator being fabricated of alloy plate steel of a'composition such as to be resistant to oxidation at a maximum temperature pj 1800 degrees Fahrenheit. The radiator 4t is braced against pressure on its side walls by a plurality of spaced tubular steel cross bars 41 made of alloy steel of the same composition as that of the radiator, the cross bars 41 being supported in rods 48 suspended from the lower ends of the hanger rods 44. 'Ihe ends of the radiator 46 are open, and are connected to end heat transfer tlues B4 and C4 respectively, Figures 3A and 3B. Through this radiator hot combustion gases are circulated alternately in opposite directions to be subsequently described. As the specific structure for connecting the ends of the radiator 46 to the complemental end heat transfer ilues B4 and C4 is the same, only one .of such structures will be described. To the end of the radiator 46 contiguous to the end iiue C4, Figure 3A, is secured an end piece 49 which is of the same construction as the radiator 46, and made of the same alloy steel as the radiator, and braced between its side walls with tubular cross bars 41 like the radiator. The end of the piece 49 projects into a short fire brick and insulation lined steel plate encased coupling 50 which is suspendingly supported from a hanger 5l carried by a bracket 52 secured to the retort l0. As shown in Figure 3A, this coupling 50 extends into the retort Ill a short distance. Since the coupling 50 must be kept tight against leakage, the space between the shell plate of the retort I and the outside of such coupling is sealed by a bellows type of sheet metal expansion joint 53, the outer edge of which is Welded to the shell of the retort while the inner edge is Welded to the shell of the coupling 50. As the coupling 50 expands inward and the retort shell may expand in the opposite direction when being heated, the expansion joint 53 will permit this expansion to take place and still provide a joint that will be leak proof, there being no pressure to which the thin metal construction of the expansion joint is subjected.

Inasmuch as the radiator 46 with its two end pieces 49 will expand considerably under heat the ends of these pieces will, upon increase of length due to expansion by heat, slide into the short couplings 5i). Thus, since clearance is provided in the rebrick linings of the couplings 50 to permit this sliding, the end pieces 49 would not be sealed against leakage of the heated gases of combustion of the radiator 46 into the surrounding space in the retort, unless a second bellows type of sheet metal exp-ansion joint were provided. As will be apparent from inspection of Figure 3A a second bellows expansion joint 54 is juxtaposed with respect to joint 53, its outer edge being Welded to the steel shell of the coupling 50 and its inner edge being welded to the flange 55 which is a part of the end piece 49. This joint 54 permits expansion of the radiator 46 and still maintains a tight seal.

Suspendingly supported from the inner casing Il of the retort lil on each side of the radiator 46, Figures 2 and 4, is a slatted curtain 55. Each of the curtains 56 is arranged in parallel relation with respect to the complemental side wall of the radiator 46 so as to form a space intermediate the side walls of the radiator 46 and the curtains for the reception therein of a charge of carbonaceous material. Since the speciic structure of each curtain is the same, only one will be described. The slatted curtain 56 is suspended from hanger rods 51 carried by the inner casing Il of the retort l, and comprises a plurality of insulated slats 58 arranged in superimposed relation and spaced from each other so as to form slots 59 therebetween, the said slats 58 being attached to rods 60 suspended from the hanger rods 51. The upper end of the inner casing of the retort I adjacent to but below the opening |4, Figure 2, is provided with a hopper 6| carried by beam members 62 to the ends of which are pivotally secured one end of links 63. the other end of said links being pivotally attached to T section bars 64. To each of the T bars 64 are pivotally connected one end each of the three spaced links 65 and one end each of the three spaced links 66, the opposite end of each of the links 65 being pivotally connected to the rods 60 of the slatterl curtain 56 and the other end of each of the links 66 being pivotally attached to the inner casing of the retort, thereby forming a toggle. Connected to the beam members 62 is a grapple T bar 61 which is adapted to be engaged by a grapple actuated from the charge car for the retort. When the grapple of the charge car mechanism is actuated, upon discharge of the retort and before recharging same, to engage the grapple bar 61 and an upward and downward motion is applied to such bar, the toggles move the slats 58 outward and inward, thereby resulting in the quick dislodgement of any coke or other material that may adhere to the side walls of the radiator 46 and the slats 58 of the curtains 56.

The charge or batch of carbonaceous material to be treated or converted into fuel is introduced into the inner casing of the retort IIJ through the opening I 4 and is conveyed by the hopper 6| into the space intermediate the side walls of the radiator`46 and the curtains 56. The charge or batch of carbonaceous material which is banked around the side walls of the radiator 46 is in the form of a column, the bottom portion of such column being supported upon the tray 25 of the bottom cover 23. End plates 68, Figures 2, 3A and 4, extending the full height of the inner casing of the retort IU confine the material of the columns within the space intermediate the side walls of the radiator 46 and the curtain 56. Each of the end plates 68 is provided with an insulating compartment 69 which is lled with lampblack, and through of such plates projects the ends of the radiator 46. The curtains 56 tend to hold the columns of material against the walls of the radiator 46 and to reilect the heat radiated outwardly through the column of material, thus effecting a more eifective and rapid liberation of the volatile concomitants in the form of gases and vapors. Also, the curtains 56 act to gently press the columns or material toward the walls of the radiator 46 as such columns shrink or swell upon liberation of the volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases as the distillation progresses. The liberated gases and vapors are caused to flow outwardly and in a substantially transverse direction out of the column of material into and through the slots 59 through the intermediacy of suction corresponding to an inch or two water column negative pressure by means, not shown. As the liberated vapors and gases pass from the inner portions to the outer portions of the column of material, the vapors condense into liquids or condensates of a mixture of water and oils. The gases having the condensates admixed therewith are caused to be discharged outwardly through the slots 59 of the curtains 56 and to be impinged against the inner walls of the inner casing of the retort I0, as indicated by the wavy arrows in Figure 2. After impingement against the inner walls of the inner casing I'I o1' the retortv l0. the gases and con- V densates ilow downwardly through the gutters 39 and 31 and the outlet pipes 34 and 35 into the pipes 30 and 3|, and thence from the pipes 30 and 3| and the mains 32 and 33, into a common collector main, not shown.

Referring to Figure 3A, the end heat transfer flue B4 is connected to the complemental coupling 56, said flue including a body 10 fabricated of heat insulating material encased in an outer steel shell 1|. The body 10 includes three transverse ilue passages 12, 13, and 14 arranged in super-imposed spaced relation, the passages varying in cross-sectional area with passage 12 of the largest area, passage 14 of the smallest area, and passage 13 of an area intermediate that of the areas of the passages 12 and 14. Each Vof the passages 12, 13, and 14 are in communication with an end of ilues or passages 15, 16, and 11, extending longitudinally through the body 10, the cross sectional area of each of such ilues corresponding approximately to the area oi' the respective passage with which it is in communication therewith. The opposite end of each of the passages 15, 16 and 11, is in communication with the interior oi' the inner end of the body 1|). Mounted in each of the passages 15, 16 and 11, at a point substantially midway thereof are butterily valves 18, 19 and 8U. Each of the butterfly valves 18, 19 and 80 are opened and closed by its counterweight and lever 8|, 82 and 83. The water cooled butterfly valves 19 and 80 are shown closed and the buttery valve 18 is shown opened so that the hot gases of combustion from the ue E#|. Figure 1, flow through passare 12 into flue 15, and thence into the radiator 46 of the retort designated A#| Figure l. Extending vertically between the passages 12 and 13 and connecting said passages together is a small ilue 84 in which is mounted a refractory butterflv valve 85, said valve being controlled by a shaft 86 projecting through a packing gland 81 and connected to a lever 88. The lever 88 is connected to a temperature controller, not shown, and acts to maintain the temperature of the cycling gases in passage 13 at a predetermined temperature by admitting some of the gas from passage 12 into passage 13, the temperature of the gases, flowing through the passage 12 being higher than that of the gases in passage 13.

The end heat transfer ilue C4, Figure 3B, is connected to the complemental coupling 50, said flue including a body 89 fabricated of heatI insulating material enclosed in an outer steel shell 98. The body 89 comprises three transverse ilue passages 9|, 92 and 93 arranged in superimposed spaced relation, the passage varying in cross sectional area with passage 9| of the largest area, passage 93 of the smallest area, and passage 92 of an area intermediate that of the areas of the passages 9| and 93. Each of the passages 9|, 92 and 93 are in communication with an end of passage 94, 95, and 96, extending longitudinally through the body 89, the cross sectional area of each of such passages corresponding approximately to the area of the respective passages with which it is in communication therewith. The opposite end of each of the passages 94, 95 and 96 is in communication with the interior of the inner end of the body 89. Mounted in each of the passages 94, 95 and 96 at a point substantially midway thereof are butteriiy valves 91, 98

and 99. Each of the butterfly valves 91, 98 and 99 are opened and closed by its counterweight and lever |80, IUI, and |62. The butteriiy valves 98 and 98 are shown closed and the butterfly `valve 91 is shown opened so that the gases of combustion flowing out of the radiator 46 and into the interior of the body 89 flow through the passage 94 into passage 9|, and thence into flue passage 9| of heat transfer end flue C4 of the retort designated A#2, Figure 1. Extending vertically between the passages 9| and 92 and connecting said passages together is a small flue |04 in which is mounted a refractory butterfly valve |05, the latter valve being controlled by a shaft |06 projecting through a packing gland |01 and connected to alever |08. The lever |09 is connected to a temperature controller, not shown, and acts to maintain the temperature of the cycling gases in passage 92 at a predetermined temperature by admitting some orgie gas from passage 9| into passage 92, the temperature of the gases flowing through the passage 9| being higher than that of the gases in passage 92.

The butterfly valves i8, 19, and 80 of end heat transfer ue B4 and the butterfly valves 91, 98, and 99 of end heat transfer flue C4 are controlled by one common means, such means effecting the periodic and simultaneous opening and closing of certain of said valves. The means, Figure 11, comprises a transversely disposed shaft suitably supported from an I-beam |09 supporting the outer shell 1| of the end heat transfer flue B4 and on which is keyed at spaced intervals therealong a plurality of cams, six in number, namely H2, II3, |I4, ||5, and IIE. The cam III is operatively connected to the counterweight and lever 8| of the butterfly valve 18 by means of a cord ||1 having one end attached to the lever of the counterweight and lever 8| and its opposite end attached to an end of a pivotally mounted lever IIB, said lever at its opposite end carrying a roller ||9 which is disposed for riding engagement about the peripheral edge of the cam |I|. The cam ||2 is operatively connected to the counterweight and lever |00 of the butterfly valve 91 by means of a cord |20 having one attached to the lever of the counterweight and lever |00 and its opposite end attached to an end of.' a pivotally mounted lever |2I, the latter lever at its opposite end carrying a roller |22 which is disposed for riding engagementr about the edge of the cam ||2. The cam H3 is operatively connected to the counterweight and lever 82 of the butterfly valve 19 by means of a cord |23 having one end attached to the lever of the counterweight and lever 82 and its opposite end attached to an end of a pivotally mounted lever |24, the latter lever at its opposite end carrying a roller |25 which is disposed for riding engagement about the edge of the cam ||3.

The cam ||4 is operatively connected to the counter-weight and lever |0| of the butterfly valve 98 by means of a cord |26 having one end attached to the lever of the counterweight and lever |0| and its opposite end attached to an end of a pivotally mounted lever |21, the latter lever at its other end carrying a roller |28 which is disposed for riding contact about the edge of the cam ||4. The cam 5 is operatively connected to the counterweight and lever 03 of the butterfly valve 80 by means of a cord |29 having one end attached to the lever of the counterweight and lever 83 and its opposite end attached to an end of a pivotally mounted lever |30, the latter lever at its other end carrying a roller I3| which is disposed for riding contact about the eige of the cam H5. The cam ||6 is operatively connected to the counterweight and lever |02 of the butterfly valve 99 by.means of a cord |32,

having one end attached to the lever of the counterweight and lever |02 and its opposite end attached to an end of a pivotally mounted lever |33, the latter lever at its other end carrying a roller |34 which is disposed for riding contact about the edge of the cam I I6. Each of the cams and ||6 have a short lobe and a long dwell which are of substantially the same configuration while al1 of the cams ||2, II3, II4, and IIS, which are of substantially the same configuration have a longer lobe and a shorter dwell than that of the cams I I and I I9.

Keyed on the shaft |I0 at a point adjacent its outer end is a ratchet wheel |35 provided with live (5) teeth equally spaced from each other, each tooth representing one-fifth of a complete counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft. Loosely pivoted on the shaft ||0 adjacent the ratchet wheel |35 is an arm |36 carrying a pivoted pawl |31 adjacent its outer end for engagement with teeth of the ratchet wheel, the extreme outer end of the arm |36 being received between a pair of opposed lugs |38 on the upper end of a plunger |39 mounted for up and down movement within a cylinder |40. A fluid medium under pressure as for example, steam, air, oil, may be admitted to the cylinder through a valve, not shown, actuated by either mechanical or electrical timing device so set to operate at the desired interval. When the fluid medium is introduced through the valve into the cylinder |40 below the lower end of the plunger |39, the plunger is caused to be moved upwardly to the limit of its strokeor the position shown in Figure 12. As the plunger |39 begins to move upwardly the pawl |31 in position behind a tooth of the ratchet wheel |35 is shifted into engagement with such tooth. As the plunger continues to move upwardly, the pawl |31 bearing against the tooth of the ratchet wheel |35 with which it is engaged causes the ratchet wheel and the shaft I|0 to which it is keyed to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, and this rotation continues until the plunger has reached the limit of its stroke. The upward stroke of the plunger |39 results in onefth of a complete counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft H0. With the exhaustion of the uid pressure medium from the cylinder |40, the plunger |39 begins to move downwardly under its own weight. As the plunger |39 begins to move downwardly the arm |36 swings backwardly and permits the pawl |31 to trip over the next succeeding tooth of the ratchet wheel |35 and finally come to rest behind said latter tooth. This actuation of the plunger |39 is continued periodically and in sequence to cause successive one-fifths of a complete counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft I0.

Figure 1l shows the cams III, |I2, II3, ||4, M5, and '|l6, all keyed on the shaft ||0, such cams being operatively connected to the six butteriiy valves 19, 19, 00, 91, 98, and 99, of the end heat transfer iiues B4 and C4 of the retort designated in Figure 1 by the indication A#I. Each of the retorts designated by the indications A#2, A#3, A#4, and A#5, in Figure l, have the same cams III, ||2, II3, ||4, IIS, and ||6, all keyed to a common shaft l I0, and each cam operatively connected to one of the six butterfly Valves 18, 19. 80, 91, 98, and 99, of end heat transfer fiues B4 and C4 in association with each of said retorts. The respective shafts ||0 of each of the retorts A#2, A#3, A#4, and A#5, Figure 1, are coupled together in one straight line to a coupling carriedby the niner end thereof, the coupling on I,58l,517 v e 13 the shaft III) for retort A#2 being coupled to the coupling |4| carried by the inner end of the shaft for the-retort A#I, Figures 1 and 11. 'Ihe respective shafts IIB are coupled together in such manner that each successive retort would be one-fth of a period or one pass of gases of combustion behind the preceding retort in the series of ve retorts so that each retort may be charged and discharged at intervals and not simultaneously. Thus, when retort A#I, Figures- 1 and 5, is on pass P-I, its butterfly valves in the` ues 15 and 94 in thegendlxeat transfer flues B4 and C4 respectively,`"`a-e open, retort A#2, Figures 1 and 6, is on pass P-2 and its butterfly valves in the flues 94 and 10 are open. While retort A#3, Figures 1 and '7, is on pass P-3, its butterfly valves in the flues 95 and 1B are open, retort A#4 is on p-ass P-4, Figure 8, with its butteriiy Valves in the ilues 95 and 11 open, and retort A#5, is on the cooling off pass P-5, Figure 9, with its butterfly valves in the flues 11 and 9E open.

After the butterfly valves in the flues 15 and 94 of retort A#|, Figures 1, 5, and 11, have been open for theduration of one-fifth of the time interval required to charge, treat, and cool a charge of material, the retort A#I will have reached its hottest or completed stage, and is then ready to be cooled for discharge, the butterily valves in the flues 15 and 94 in retort Ail are closed, the corresponding butterfly valves in the flues 15 and 94 of retort A#2 for pass P| are opened, and the butterfly valves in the flues 11 and 96 of the retort A#I for the cooling off pass P-5, Figure 9, are opened. If the duration of the time interval for completing a charge of material is 31/ hours or 210 minutes, then, there being only possible passes between the six butterfly valves, the length of such interval for each fifth of a period or pass P-I, P-2, P-3, P-4, P-5, would be 1K5 of 210 minutes or 42 minutes. Hence, every 42 minutes or 1/5 of a period every retort in the series of A#I, A#2, A#3, A#4, and A#5, is placed on a successively or increasingly hotter pass, Figures 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Figure illustrates a composite of all passes and their temperatures at the beginning and end of each pass. By reference to Figure 10 it will be apparent that the gases of combustion at the beginning of pass P-I is of a temperature of about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and at the end of such pass the temperature of the gases is about 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. The gases at the beginning of pass P-Z are at a temperature of about 1400 degrees Fahrenheit and at the end of such pass the temperature of the gases is about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. The gases at -the beginning of pass P-3 are at a temperature of about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit and at the end of said pass the temperature of the gases is about 700 degrees Fahrenheit. The gases at the beginning of pass P-4 are at a temperature of 700 degrees Fahrenheit and at the end of such pass the temperature of the gases is about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The gases at the beginning of pass P-5 are at a temperature of about. 500 degrees Fahrenheit and at the end of such pass the temperature is about 600 degrees Fahrenheit.

Referring to Figure 11, it will be observed that the roller I|9 of the lever I|8 is in riding contact with the lobe of the cam I Il and that the roller |22 of the lever |2| is in riding contact with the lobe of the cam |l2, and in such positions their respective levers ||8 and |2I hold open 'the shaft 14 the butterfly valves 18 and 91 to thereby permit the pass P-I. Since the cam |I, Figure 11, has a lobe which is only one-half the length of thc lobe of the cam I |2, the cam I |2 holds: the butterfly valve 91 open for two-flfths of a period while the cam II holds the butterfly valve 18 open for only a one-fifth of a period. Upon rotation of I|0 in counter-clockwise direction another fth of a complete revolution by actuation of the cylinder |40 so as to cause the upward stroke of the plunger |39 and consequent rotation of the ratchet wheel |35 under the action of the pawl |31, the cams III and |I2 simultaneously permit their respective rollers ||9 and |22 to drop to the dwells thereof. The dropping of the rollers |I9 and |22 into the dwells of the cams l I I and I I2 causes the tension on the cords I|1 and |26 to be relaxed, resultingin the lcounterweights of the levers 8| and |00 returning the butterfly valves 13 and 91 in the flues 15 and 94, to closed position and terminating the hottest or finishing pass P|. While the butteriiy valves 18 and 91 are closing, the roller |3| of the lever |30 and the roller |34 of the lever |33 are shifted from riding contact with the dwells of the cams ||5 and IIB into such contact with the lobe of the latter cams. The movement of the rollers |3| and |34 into riding Contact with the lobes of the cams I I5 and IIS causes the cords |29 and |32 to be drawn taut, resulting in the actuation of the counterweight and levers 83 and I 02 to open the butterfly valves and 99 in the flues 11 and 96 and permitting the cooling off pass P-5 to flow through retort AitI in order to cool off such retort and its treated product to a temperature such that the treated product upon discharge will not flash into flame. In the pass P-5, the cycling gases ow through butterfly valve 80 at about the lowest temperature in the series of passes, about 500 degrees Fahrenheit as indicated in Figure 10, but instead of giving on heat the cycling gases actually pick up temperature in cooling off the heat applied in the four previous successively I hotter passes and leave the retort A#|, at a higher rather than lower temperature, about 600 degrees Fahrenheit, Figure 10.

After a retort has been on the cooling pass P-5 up to about the last ten minutes of the duration of such pass, the charge andY discharge cars perform their functions of discharging and recharging the retort so that at the next one-fifth of a complete counter-clockwise rotation of the shaft |I0, the butterfly valve 99 in the flue 16 is closed and the butterfly valve 80 :in the flue 11 remaining open and valve 98 in flue 95 is brought to the open position for pass P-4, Figure 8, the pass P-l being the rst and coolest of the heating up passes. In each of the passes P-4, P-3, P-2, and P-I, the temperature of the cycling gases entering the retort is higher than when leaving such retort because the heat of the gases in passing through the radiator of the retort is radiated outwardly through the walls of the radii' ator and into and through the surrounding body of material to be treated, the temperature of such radiated heat being such as to liberate the volatile concomitants contained in such material in the form of vapors and gases without cracking or decomposing the thus liberated vapors and gases.

The heaters D#|, and D#2, Figure 1, serve the purpose of reducing the temperature of a gas fuel llame which is between 3500 degrees Fahrenheit and 4000 degrees Fahrenheit to about 1800 degrecs Fahrenheit. In each oi' such heaters, the gas fuel iiame is generated at the top and the resulting name is directed downwardly into a. large combustion chamber in such manner tha.I it does not impinge upon the surrounding brickwork lining. The heated gas of combustion liberated by the ame is caused to flow downwardly through and out of the heater and thence be caused to flow upwardly through and out of a smoke stack. In the passage of the heated gas of combustion downwardly through the heater its heat is slowly absorbed by the surrounding brickwork with the result that when the generation of the gas fuel flame is discontinued and the stack is closed, a circulation of the portion of such gas as remains in the heater in the reverse flow enables gases leaving the heater to be maintained at a temperature of 1800 degrees Fahrenheit for one to two hours. This gas of combustion at a temperature or 1800 degrees Fahrenheit is circulated through the radiator of the rst retort in the series of ve.

What is claimed is:

1. In a low temperature process for carbonizing' solid carbonaceous material, the steps oi' providing a plurality of vertical immobile columns of said material, heating one vertical surface of each of said columns by passing a heated gas in indirect heat exchange relation with said surfaces, said gas being of the highest temperature of about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and being passed in series in heat relation to said columns and a source of heat, periodically changing the position of each column in the cycle with respect to the source of heat whereby the columns will be heated in a series of stages of increasing temperature, yieldably pressing the opposite vertical surface of each of said columns transversely toward said iirst named surface, withdrawing the vapors and gases transversely of said columns and through the opposite surfaces by suction applied adjacent said columns, and condensing the vapors in the areas externally of and adjacent said columns.

2. In a low temperature process for carbonizing solid carbonaceous material, the steps of providing a plurality of vertical immobile columns of said material, heating one vertical surface of each of said columns by passing a heated gas in indirect heat exchange relation with said surfaces, the said gas being of the highest temperature of about 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and being passed in series in heat relation to said columns and a source of heat, periodically changing the position of each column in the cycle with respect to the source of heat whereby the columns will be heated in a series of stages of increasing temperature, yieldably pressing the opposite vertical surface of each of said columns transversely toward said first named surface, withdrawing the vapors and gases transversely of said columns and through the opposite surfaces by suction applied adjacent said columns, condensing the vapors in the areas externally of and adjacent said columns, and withdrawing the condensed vapors and gases only at the bottom of said areas.

3. In an apparatus for producing fuel from carbonaceous material containing volatile concomitants comprising a retort, a radiator disposed within said retort, a heat retaining slatted curtain mounted in said retort in parallel relation with respect to the radiator and spaced from the rection through said surrounding mass of material to liberate its volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases, and means for withdrawing the condensed vapors only at the bottom of said retort externally of said space.

4. In an apparatus for producing fuel f om carbonaceous material containing volatile ncomitants comprising a retort, provided wi a discharge opening in the bottom thereof, a removable cover having a tray projecting from its undersurface thereof closing said opening, a. radiator disposed within said retort, a heat retaining slatted curtain mounted in said retort in parallel relation with respect to the radiator and spaced from the latter to form a space for the reception of a mass of material therein, end plates for closing said space at opposite ends thereof, the tray of said cover forming a support for the mass of material received within said space, a toggle co-acting with the slatted curtain for causing inward and outward movement of the slats of the curtain, means for supporting an immobile mass of material in said space, means for flowing a heated gas through said radiator, whereby the heat contained in said radiator is radiated outwardly and in a substantially transverse direction through said surrounding mass of material to liberate its volatile concomitants in the form of vapors and gases, and means for withdrawing the condensed vapors and gases at the bottom of said retort externally of said space.

GEORGE BERKLEY CRAMP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,391,825 Garland Sept. 27, 1921 1,590,895 Lasche et al June 29, 1926 1,597,365 Keigley et al. Aug. 24, 1926 1,713,840 Lauchs May 21, 1929 1,771,048 Koppers July 22, 1930 1,867,877 Clifton et al July 19, 1932 1,920,913 Pflucke et al. Aug. l, 1933 1,996,649 Puening Apr. 2, 1935 2,203,698 Schmidt June 11, 1910 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date i 252,422 Great Britain May 27, 19 6 784 Australia Oct. 22, 1926 of 1926 310,664 Great Britain May 2, 1929 333,563 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1930 352,487 Great Britain July 9, 1931 30,424 Australia Nov. 27, 1931 of 1930 465,427 Great Britain May 7, 1937 848,294 France June 30, 1938 

